Students who develop a “quality relationships” with staff are more likely to stay in school, according to education experts.
Associate Professor Kitty te Riele, of the Victoria Institute, said there was a strong relationship between school retention and student-staff relationships.
“The quality of staff and, in particular, the quality of relationship that staff establish with young people is important,” she said.
“Students having a really strong relationship with staff were a major reason why they were suddenly engaging much better.”
Last week, the institute, led by Professor te Riele, published a study outlining the importance of alternative or “flexible” schooling programs, which help 70,000 students each year receive an education.
Professor te Riele said programs such as Hands on Learning (HOL), carried out across three Whittlesea schools, were imperative in encouraging teenagers to stay in school.
“Programs like HOL are really important for young people for whom the conventional approach doesn’t work well,” she said.
Students at The Lakes South Morang P-9 School, Epping Secondary College and Whittlesea Secondary College taking part in HOL are undertaking building projects around the school by incorporating numeracy and literacy skills in their work.
Mayor of Whittlesea Mary Lalios said that with high youth unemployment it was imperative that young people in the municipality did not fall through the cracks.
Contact Youth Services at Whittlesea council on 9404 8800 to donate tools or volunteer your time or expertise to support schools’ efforts.
